National Republican., 1887-03-10
The Dependent Pension Bill.


EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN A great
outcry is made by the metropolitan press
against the Republican members in Congress
for having as party supported the de-
pendent pension bill. Their arguments
have been that large surplus of money
In the treasury Is an evil, while they re-
gaided the national debt as blessing.
For themselves have no doubt they would
rather reverse the proposition. But allowing
for the sake OF argument, that q surplus Is an
evil, how can II be remedied? First, by re-
ducing taxes This you have advocated with
singular ability in your proposition to place
on the free list sugar and tobacco. But the
Democratic party, now In power, has proven
its utter inability of agreeing in that direction
very pledge which they claim placed them in
power Secondly by beneficial expenditures.
Now, what measure has either tho party In
pend tho surplus to the best advantage? None.
When, therefore. the Republicans supported
this bill II was a sort OF a Godsend to help them
out OF q dilemma, and it passed both houses
this done than the same press which regarded
the surplus as an evil pitched In high and low
and implored the President, to veto 1t because
vetoed the bill. as he had the power to do
and II fell short just twenty-five votes
In n van an aRsbtemPt, Rbn P,,r to pass y over
due to such Democrats who changed their
votes In order to sustain the President. Thus
politically speaking, the Republicans are re.
sponsible for, the advocacy of the bill as
party, while the Democrats must be charged
with Its defeat. Now, what about this bill
Its opponents characterize 1t us pauper bill.
This leaves the inference that they are not
willing to pension paupers but would not OBJ
ject to pension millionaires. What kind of
paupers did this bill propose TO pension? All
such as had served the country In any war not
able to support themselves or those depending
upon them. But why should the government
support an army OF paupers who served the
country aud are unable to support themselvel
when there is an army of gentlemen ready and
willing TO be supported by the government,
who instead OF serving the government We're
willing to destroy IT. and who can get away
with the so-called eyil-the snrplus--no mat.
ter how great itmay be, aud who have waited
twenty five years for chance? What right
has any soldier who cannot support himself,
get So a month, when those objecting to il.
would, for serving the country in time of
paaee, not take sl2 a day?
oh, yea soldiers, the Democratic party will
give the bOndhOlder his pound of flesh, but
you paupeIs who cannot support yourselves,
don't You know that this is a government of
the people, by the people, and for the people
to support the milllOnaires, and now here
come the paupers and wanted to be supported
too-it is just too utterly.utter. Besides you
did not vote right at the last election: See
what You did for your comrades, Cen Bragg
Morrison, and company. Did you love them
for tho enemies they made2 II you did you
can see bow you scared Randall, Holman, and
company. Some Democratic statesmen have
nothing but economy on their little brains.
Did II ever occur to them that II this disease
We're contagious, and the people should catch
it, It would make them paupers, and they
could not get Sl2 a month? Now, what would
have been the result had this bill passed? IL
wonld have dissipated an evil which must
keep on TO continue by reason of a disagree
meiit to reduce taxes, but what could these
paupers do with u pension OF Sls n month? IL
would not pay for n basket Of champagne, nor
box OF Hayhnas, nor hrst-class Delmonlco,
nor congressional bonnet nor diamond
stud. What would II do?
First, They would have ceased TO be paupers.
Second. 1t would have brought money Into
circulation among the people, sadly needed.
Third. 1t would have found Its way back
into the treasury of the United States making
Its rounds, thus performing Its functions OF
MONEY
Soldierly pRupers, according TO the record,
your next vote cost you twelve times Sl2-slli
Tor year. WIN you remember 1t?
ISAAC COHEN,